by S. E. Smith
Rising, he stepped toward the entrance of the cave. He barely had time to raise his shield before an arrow bounced harmlessly off it. He raised the laser gun and fired. A harsh shriek cut through the air as he hit his target. A rain of arrows burst around him. With a silent curse, he focused a burst of energy toward those high on the rocks above him. At the same time, he tossed the small balls through the entrance of the cave. A brief flash sounded at the same time as shrieks of pain echoed as those above him rocked from having their equilibrium shattered.
Several figures stumbled out of the cave. He brutally cut them down as they emerged. Tossing the last body to the side, he pulled a small breathing apparatus over his nose and mouth before entering the cave. Bodies lay where they fell. Larger ones shielded the smaller ones. He ignored all of them. He wanted only one. His eyes fell on the golden haired female with satisfaction. She was lying on a thin cover on the ground.
Stepping over and around the others, he stared down at the still figure. She was attractive for being a different species. He decided to change his plans as he stared down at her soft features. A devious smile curved his lips as he thought of the ultimate revenge against Ha’darra.
Kejon reached down and scooped up the tiny figure. He turned on his heel. He had taken only a few steps when a hand weakly reached out and grabbed his ankle, almost tripping him. He glared down at the female holding him. Her eyes went from his to the bundle in his arms. He pulled his leg away and viciously kicked the female’s rounded stomach.
He chuckled at her cry of pain. He continued through the cave and stepped out into the clear night sky. His eyes narrowed when he saw that he was not alone. A dark, satisfied smile curved his lips when he saw the outline of the male he had been seeking. It did not take as long as he expected to enjoy his triumph.
“Well, well, well. If it is not the Curizan Prince,” Kejon said mockingly. “It is a shame you are too late to protect your whore, Ha’darra.”
“Put her down, Kejon,” Ha’ven growled back. “This is between us. We finish it here and now.”
Kejon chuckled as he shifted Emma’s slight weight in his arms. He palmed the device he had in his hand as he did. The sweet revenge tasted even sweeter knowing he would be able to rub in his plans before he killed Ha’darra.
“She is so sweet,” Kejon said in a low menacing voice. “I wonder if she tastes as sweet as she looks. I will have to make sure I find out before I let the others sample her as well.”
Ha’ven took a step forward. “Release her,” he snarled.
Kejon’s mouth tightened as he caught the movement of another large figure. “Tell whoever is with you to stand down or I’ll snap her in half,” he warned.
*.*.*
Ha’ven had frozen behind Crom when the first shrieks had echoed through the thick forests over the sound of fighting and confusion in front and to the side of them as the other Monikers engaged the Marastin Dow tactical team.
“The cave,” Crom had growled out in rage. “They are being attacked!”
Ha’ven had turned even as the huge Moniker was conveying what the sounds meant. He ran along the branches, grabbing the huge vines and swinging from limb to limb. Crom followed closely beside him. The two of them raced toward the river. They had burst out of the forest at the same time. A female Moniker lay by the shore of the river, blood seeping from her ears. She looked up, pointing with a low groan. Three bodies lay broken by the entrance of the cave where they had fallen from the rocks above. The bodies of four elderly women lay crumbled beside them, cut down as they emerged from the cave.
Ha’ven looked up as a large figure carrying another emerged from the cave. He immediately recognized Emma’s golden hair. His eyes burned with rage as he pulled the laser sword out.
His blood boiled at Kejon’s mocking words. “Put her down, Kejon,” Ha’ven growled back. “This is between us. We finish it here and now.”
He took a step forward. Fear and hatred pulsed through him at Kejon’s barely veiled threat. His hand tightened until his knuckles gleamed white.
“She is so sweet,” Kejon responded to his demand. “I wonder if she tastes as sweet as she looks. I will have to make sure I find out before I let the others sample her as well.”
“Release her,” he snarled, his eyes gauging the distance between them.
Ha’ven watched as Kejon’s eyes flickered briefly to the side. The assassin’s words froze him and he raised his hand to halt Crom. He could tell from the sudden darkening of Kejon’s aura that he meant what he said. He would snap Emma’s spine in a heartbeat.
“You want me, you’ve got me,” Ha’ven growled out, throwing the laser sword to the side. “Just you and me. No one else will interfere. Just release the female.”
“I think not,” Kejon said with a triumphant grin. “Aria should have killed you when she had the chance. I will not make the same mistake. But before you die, Ha’darra, I want you to know that your female will be well used before she dies.”
Ha’ven roared out in frustrated rage as Kejon shifted Emma over his shoulder as he raised his hand. Ha’ven saw the small device in the assassin’s hand even as he rushed him. A burst of black shot from the device. Long tentacles reached out toward him, wrapping around his arms and chest. The thick bands spread out over him, spreading up his neck and down his legs. The more he fought, the tighter they became until he was struggling to breathe.
“You can thank the Valdier Royal, Raffvin, for this little trick,” Kejon said with a cold smile. “You see, his symbiot feeds off of dark power and you, dear prince, have the power they crave.”
Ha’ven fought to remain upright but the black bands dragged him to his knees. He struggled to gasp in a breath of air but the black bands refused to release their hold on his throat. The dark strands stretched up over his mouth and nose until only his eyes remained free. Spots danced as he struggled with the lack of oxygen.
Crom growled out and moved to try to pull the black bands off of Ha’ven. The huge Moniker flew backwards when the black bands sent a burst of pure energy through his body. Ha’ven fought to keep from losing consciousness, his only thought was for Emma.
I am sorry, my mate, he whispered silently to her as darkness washed over him. Forgive my failure in protecting you.
Ha’ven? Emma’s faint voice echoed softly through him.
Kejon’s astonished expletive filled the air. The fury in the curse echoed as a colorful form suddenly appeared between him and Ha’ven. The figure turned to look at Kejon for a moment before it floated through the air toward Ha’ven’s still figure. The iridescent form knelt on the ground next to the shrouded body. A slender hand reached out to touch the black bands. The moment it touched the pulsing negative energy, the black bands rose up to entwine with it. The figure spoke softly to the greedy strands that slowly dissolved into it, leaving thin gold strands behind.
A shiver went through Kejon as he realized that the figure was that of the female in his arms. She was more than Ha’ven’s current whore. She was a being of incredible power. As the bands dissolved, Kejon knew he needed time to explore what he held in his arms. Such power was not to be ignored or eliminated without careful consideration as to how it could be used first.
Pressing the signal for the transporter to beam him up, Kejon cast one last look at the figure that floated above Ha’darra’s body. He needed to retreat to his hidden base. He needed time to plan because there was one thing he knew without a doubt… Ha’darra would be coming after the female.
Chapter 21
“Ha’ven,” a deep voice said. “Wake up.”
Ha’ven’s eyes snapped open at the same time as his hand gripped the throat of the male above him. Rage glowed from his violet eyes turning them darker. His hand tightened as his power returned. He felt a vibration and heard the sound of metal groaning ominously as he stared into a pair of matching violet eyes.
“I know he can be a royal pain in the ass but if you kill him mother is going to be very upset
with you,” Adalard said as he leaned back against the wall. “Not to mention, if you don’t get a grip on your emotions you just might kill all of us.”
It took a moment for sanity to return and for Ha’ven to realize he was squeezing Arrow’s throat. He released his grip and drew in a deep breath to try to calm the rage of dark power that was flowing through him.
He watched as Adalard caught Arrow who collapsed, wheezing and rubbing his throat. His eyes shot around the room that he quickly identified as being Adalard’s warship. He raised a hand to his head, brushing his hair back as he sat up the rest of the way. He swung his feet over the side of the medical bay bed. Only when he felt like he was under some semblance of control did he look at his two younger brothers.
“Emma?” He asked in an emotionless voice.
“Gone,” Adalard said grimly. “Kejon took her.”
The walls of the medical center expanded outward before settling back into place. That was the only sign of Ha’ven’s reaction to his brother’s quietly spoken words. He closed his eyes as shattering pain coursed through him. The horrors Emma endured under the human male’s hands would pale in comparison to what Kejon would do to her.
Ha’ven looked at his brothers. His face was pale but composed. He would do whatever was necessary to bring Emma back home to his arms.
“Do you know where he has gone?” He asked in a strained voice.
“Yes,” Arrow responded. “Bahadur has an informant on the Marastin Dow ship that has been in contact with him. He is heading to Kejon’s hidden base. He will be there before Kejon arrives. We should arrive shortly after. The informant says he will do what he can to keep Emma safe but he can make no promises.”
Ha’ven slid off the bed. “You expect me to trust a Marastin Dow? They would sell their own mates before they help anyone but themselves,” he replied as nausea rose again. “What happened?”
“Your female saved you,” another deep voice responded. “I should have gone ahead and fought you for her. If I had known how powerful she was, I would have.”
Ha’ven’s turned his head to look at the other side of the room. A large figure rose from the seat and stretched. His eyes narrowed on the serious look in the dark brown eyes.
“What happened?” He asked again.
Crom’s mouth curved downward. “The assassin had a weapon unlike any I have ever seen.” He raised his arm and showed off the golden band. “Whatever it is, it has taken a liking to me and will not come off. Kejon shot this at you only it was black, alive and powerful. It knocked me off my feet and was determined to strangle you.”
Arrow and Adalard both swore under their breaths. “That is the same thing that attacked Mandra. It is part of Raffvin’s symbiot. I thought Paul and the others had defeated it,” Adalard muttered. “How did Kejon get it?”
“I don’t know,” Ha’ven said as he thought of the power behind the small bit of symbiot. “The last thing I remember was it was draining my power from me.”
“It was doing more than that,” Crom said as he gently rubbed the golden band. “It was crushing you. Before my eyes, the figure of your mate, made of the colors of the sky after a shower, appeared. She touched the black bands. Whatever she said or did pulled the darkness away and into her. A living gold metal was left behind. As soon as your mate pulled the blackness away, it immediately released you. I reached down to help you and it grabbed me and has not let go since. Your brother told me it belongs to the Dragon-shifters.”
“What are you doing here?” Ha’ven asked of the huge Moniker. “What of the others?”
Crom grinned. “I wish to see more than the mines of the Red Planet and the females of my world. Besides, this golden metal will not release me. I thought I should return it to its world. Not to mention, I am still hoping I get a chance to claim the little female. I cannot do that from my world,” he responded. “Ten of my people perished in the battle. Pollamay gave birth early. The infant is weak but should survive,” he added somberly.
Ha’ven felt the weight of those who died on his shoulders. He looked up when he felt a hand gently touch him. The dark brown eyes looked at him for several long seconds.
“My people stand by their Prince,” Crom said quietly. “We owe much to your family. Each and every one of us has taken a pledge to uphold your rule. Your father saved our world during the Great War when Ben’qumain sent in troops to kill us so he could take the resources of the Red Planet. Those that died did so with honor. Do not dishonor them by taking blame for what they have freely given.”
Ha’ven nodded. “I am honored to have your support,” he said quietly. Turning to look at his brothers, he drew in a deep breath. “Tell me everything you know.”
*.*.*
Emma woke slowly. She remained still as memories crowded her. She opened her eyes and looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling. Pushing up, she sat up and brushed her long hair over her shoulder.
“You’re awake,” a husky voice said. “I was beginning to worry you would never wake.”
Emma started and turned toward the door. A tall slender male with purple skin leaned against the wall next to the door. He was dressed in a black uniform from head to toe. An insignia and several gold stars were attached to the collar of his shirt.
“Who are you?” She asked nervously, looking around the sparsely furnished room. “Where am I?”
“My name is Captain Marus Tylis, commander of the Traitor’s Run,” the tall figure replied.
“Why…?” Emma drew in a shaky breath as she wound her hands together. “Why am I here? What is going to happen to me?”
Marus studied the tiny female. He had been surprised when Kejon had reappeared aboard the Traitor’s Run with the female. That had been almost eighteen hours before. Kejon had handed the female over to one of the senior officers after he had told the Curizan that a fast approaching warship had entered the region.
He had immediately ordered the officer to secure the female in one of the empty cabins on the officer’s level. They did not have anywhere else on board that was remotely secure. They took no prisoners and anyone who was found to violate procedures aboard was killed and their bodies disposed of in space.
It was only the fact that each member now on board the Traitor’s Run had been specifically hand-picked for a different mission that he knew he could trust them. The former captain made the mistake of thinking he could use Kejon as a cover for their true mission would be a good idea. That mistake had cost him his life and had forced Marus to change their mission. Now, he would be lucky to get his crew and himself out of the mess Kejon had made without being blown to pieces. His only hope of getting everyone out alive lay in keeping the female sitting in front of him safe.
“You were brought here by a Curizan assassin named Kejon,” Marus answered in a low voice. “He is a very dangerous and powerful male. At the moment, I have been able to distract him. I don’t know what he wants with you but something tells me it isn’t going to be good for either of us. Tell me who you are and what do you have to do with the Ha’darra family. I need any information you can give me if I am to get us all out of this alive.”
Emma bit her lip and rose off the bed on trembling legs. “My name is Emma Watson. I’m a human,” she answered looking into the cold silver eyes. “I was… taken from my world several months ago. A week or so ago, Ha’ven Ha’darra came to the world where I was taken,” Emma bowed her head as fresh pain swept through her as an image of Ha’ven struggling for breath washed through her. She looked up at the male in front of her with shimmering eyes. “He kidnapped me and claimed me. I was mad at him at first,” she admitted quietly. “I just wanted to… die. I had been hurt badly by a male from my world before I was taken. I didn’t even know anything like this could exist.” She raised her hands and swept them to encompass everything around her. “I didn’t know there was such a thing as aliens. At least, not in real life.”
“Who took you?” Marus asked as his gut twisted.
“A man
named Creon Reykill,” Emma said. “He said I was under his protection.”
Marus drew in a deep breath and ran his hand down his face. This was worse than he could imagine. Forget being afraid of Kejon’s powers. He had a female on board his warship that was under the protection of not one, but two of the fiercest species in the known star systems. He would be lucky if they just blew them to pieces. That would be merciful compared to what an enraged dragon-shifter and a Cruizan Prince could do together.
He stared up at the ceiling and wondered how his life could have gotten so screwed up so quickly. Was this punishment for wanting to free his people from the archaic rule it was currently under? He hoped to bring freedom to his people. Instead, he and those who fought for the same thing were about to be annihilated for being in the wrong place at the wrong time with definitely the wrong female on board.
He looked back the tiny female in front of him. “You are Ha’ven Ha’darra’s mate?” He asked heavily.
Emma bit her lip and nodded. “Yes,” she answered.
He glanced at the door when a soft knock sounded. He opened the door a crack. A soft feminine voice said something to him and he nodded before it closed again.
“I am going to do everything in my power to keep you safe,” he finally said. “It is important that Kejon not know what I am doing.”
Emma nodded again. “Captain Tylis,” she said as he opened the door to leave. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Marus bowed his head briefly before he stepped out and closed the door behind him. Emma heard the sound of the lock engaging. She slowly sank down onto the bed and pulled her knees to her chest. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she closed her eyes and let the silent tears fall.
“Oh, Ha’ven,” she whispered brokenly. “I love you.”
